Veterans of U.S. Wars and Their
Dependents

Veterans' benefits have existed since the birth of our nation. As of
September 2011, over three million veterans, their dependents, and
survivors of deceased veterans are receiving VA benefits and services.

The last dependent of a Revolutionary War veteran died in 1911; the War
of 1812's last dependent died in 1946; and the last dependent of the
Mexican War died in 1962. Some 63 children and 50 widows of
Spanish-American War veterans are receiving benefits today. There are in
fact 2 children of Civil War veterans who still draw VA benefits.

Veterans

Children1

Parents

Surviving spouses

Civil War

—

2

—

__

Indian Wars

—

—

—

—

Spanish-American War

—

63

—

50

Mexican Border

—

10

—

22

World War I

—

2,371

—

2,734

World War II

269,418

11,185

29

210,696

Korean Conflict

206,502

2,347

105

65,900

Vietnam Era

1,325,941

4,051

2,228

191,488

Gulf War2

1, 214,715

3,220

1,231

19,941

Total wartime

16,962,0003

—

—

—

Nonservice-connected

313,660

12,416

0

189,433

Service-connected

3,354,740

12,364

4,514

338,565

1. Children connotes a minor or a
dependent adult.

2. For VA benefits purposes, the Gulf War
period of service remains open-ended and also includes those discharged
from 1991 to date.

3. Total will be more than sum of conflicts due to no "end date" established for Persian Gulf War.